Bungie’s Marathon Game Director, Joseph Ziegler, has announced that he is leaving the studio today, July 17, with assistant Game Director Del Chafe III taking over leadership of the multiplayer shooter.
In a post shared on X, Ziegler confirmed that Friday, July 17, would be his final day at Bungie and that Del Chafe III will now serve as Game Director alongside Creative Director Julia Nardin.
“Hey everyone I’ve got a bit of an announcement to make. Today, Friday 7/17, will be my last day at Bungie and I’ll be passing the torch of Game Director to the very capable and amazing hands of Del Chafe III, who will guide the game forward alongside the Creative Director Julia Nardin,” Ziegler wrote.
He added, “Both of them have been operating in a strong leadership capacity for the team and are ready to guide Marathon into the next chapter with an even better and brighter future.”
Ziegler did not reveal where he is heading next but said he would share more details in the future. “As for me, I’ll be heading to something new, somewhere else, and will update you on where and what soon.”
Thanking the Marathon community, he also said, “The mission will continue in new and surprising ways so stay tuned for what this team has in store for you!”
Released on March 5, 2026, Marathon is Bungie’s multiplayer extraction first-person shooter for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The game revives the studio’s classic sci-fi franchise, placing players in the role of bio-cybernetic mercenaries known as Runners as they explore the dangerous world of Tau Ceti IV in search of valuable loot while battling hostile creatures and rival players.
